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This is one of those rare English films that is focused on a plot not an agenda. I saw a piece of the film on TV. Then I rented it not expecting much. I was very impressed. I had not seen a real tear jerker in years. This is not the typical Hollywood template. Real time and effort was invested in its creation.

The female playing the Eskimo girl is actually an Eskimo girl! Wow. What a concept! I"m serious! She has actually done all of the things she is depicted doing in the movie in their attempts to survive. Remember the classic western where all the indians are white men painted red? And you kept seeing the same actors in movie after movie? The fact that she's a new face and an Eskimo makes it all the more believable.

Standard Hollywood fare would have had someone like Julia Roberts or Nicole Kidman on the back lot in a parka eating simulated raw meat. That would not have been convincing or memorable.

The extras about the making of the film were outstanding such as the difficulties they encountered in making the film from dodging polar bears to arctic blizzards. Extras, worthwhile or otherwise, are another rarity in English films today hence the rare memorable film.

This is one of those unique films you can buy absolutely anyone for a gift and it is appropriate and appreciated.

Don't miss this one!

Some of the reviewers here obviously have never heard of, or read a book of, historical fiction. This movie did not begin with "True Story". Hence why expect it to be? Indeed, if a film about historical events was 100% accurate it would be so boring we'd then complain about that.

Gretchen Mol did a superb job as usual. I first saw her in "Forever Mine". If she gets the right part she always delivers. The part of the young man was also well done. It is difficult to give much info without spoiling the plot. It has drama, romance and tragedy. All well done; the components of good movies. So watch it for yourself. And don't try to make historical comparisons as you do. That's not what this movie is about.

Most of the bad reviews here come from those who did not see the typical Hollywood template film they expected. There are no Quentin Tarantino type influences here. It's not the typical American type template that has won the US only 5 Palm D Ors in drama at Cannes in the last 25 years even though we've put out tens of thousands of films! Yes if you expect the usual steamy sex, filthy talk, things blowing up, chase scenes, gun battles and bloody gore-filled murder scenes you will be disappointed.

Sadly, there are few American made movies worth the time or expense at a cinema these days but this is one of them. You get to have your cake and eat it too.

Hollywood big wigs: "Let's make a movie about Dillinger. Just using his name we can assure it will sell to the men. And to attract the women we'll cast pretty Johnny Depp as this ruthless gangster. It's a gangster movie so we need him shooting a Tommy Gun in the beginning. This will get the attention of the men. To get the women's attention he will need to be falling in love within 20 minutes with a touching dialog and quickly into bed. And for a twist let's depict Dillinger (a thug beginning in childhood) as a real gentleman. Women won't like him otherwise. We'll have Johnny Depp pulling out her chair, helping with her coat, opening doors for her, etc.. The rest is just details."

What we have here is just another typical Hollywood template film. I was surprised they did not have Dillinger showing up at an orphanage donating his bank robbing proceeds.

Is there any surprise that Hollywood is in trouble?